In the early 1980s a deadly epidemic was decimating North America’s gay population, killing people in the thousands, devastating an entire generation and changing the way we think about sex forever.
The gay liberation began in 1969. As gay rights began coming more to light, so did HIV/AIDs, as the first cases of “gay cancer” began sweeping the community in 1981. The cases grow to extreme amounts. In 1984, an American doctor confirms the virus that causes AIDS. Bath houses are closed down as cases double in size. In 1986, The CDC reports significant racial disparities in rates of infection, recognizing that Black and Hispanic Americans are developing the disease at three times the rate of Caucasian Americans. Among children, the disparity is even greater. The first HIV drug is approved in 1987. In October, hundreds of thousands of people take part in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. ACT UP’s now iconic “Silence = Death” logo gains visibility. In the early 1990’s, organizations and conferences begin highlighting AIDS. in 1995, it is the leading cause of death of Americans from 25-44. In 1996, the New York Times and other main news outlets finally runs AIDS as a cover story. Activists pressure governments to make changes. By 2010, in the United States, about 1 million people are living with HIV and AIDS. Over 75% of these are men. 61% of HIV positive men in America are gay, bisexual or other MSM. 42% of HIV positive Americans are Black, 33.3% are Caucasian and 21.4% are Hispanic and Latino. Its been this long and there is still no definitive cure. Trump’s administration refused to recognize Pride month, which is the type of attitude that caused the lag in help for the gay community when the crisis first began. He also dismissed the remaining members of the HIV and AIDS federal advisory council because they spoke out about his choices. They believe the Trump administration had no strategy to address the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero insight from experts to formulate the HIV policy and has pursued legislation that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse the important gains made in fight against the disease. If we stop now, the fight will reverse and all the progress of eradication will be erased.
The gay liberation began in 1969. As gay rights began coming more to light, so did HIV/AIDs, as the first cases of “gay cancer” began sweeping the community in 1981. The cases grow to extreme amounts. In 1984, an American doctor confirms the virus that causes AIDS. Bath houses are closed down as cases double in size. In 1986, The CDC reports significant racial disparities in rates of infection, recognizing that Black and Hispanic Americans are developing the disease at three times the rate of Caucasian Americans. Among children, the disparity is even greater. The first HIV drug is approved in 1987. In October, hundreds of thousands of people take part in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. ACT UP’s now iconic “Silence = Death” logo gains visibility. In the early 1990’s, organizations and conferences begin highlighting AIDS. in 1995, it is the leading cause of death of Americans from 25-44. In 1996, the New York Times and other main news outlets finally runs AIDS as a cover story. Activists pressure governments to make changes. By 2010, in the United States, about 1 million people are living with HIV and AIDS. Over 75% of these are men. 61% of HIV positive men in America are gay, bisexual or other MSM. 42% of HIV positive Americans are Black, 33.3% are Caucasian and 21.4% are Hispanic and Latino. Its been this long and there is still no definitive cure. Trump’s administration refused to recognize Pride month, which is the type of attitude that caused the lag in help for the gay community when the crisis first began. He also dismissed the remaining members of the HIV and AIDS federal advisory council because they spoke out about his choices. They believe the Trump administration had no strategy to address the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero insight from experts to formulate the HIV policy and has pursued legislation that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse the important gains made in fight against the disease. If we stop now, the fight will reverse and all the progress of eradication will be erased.